About the Pilgrimage

This is one of our most popular trips, to see the biblical land of Jordan before crossing over into Israel. The Holy Land is really Israel AND Jordan. We only do this once every year or two. No one who goes to Jordan ever regrets it!

This is a beautiful time of the year to tour the Holy Land. Usually warm but not too hot with almost no chance of rain. We have the best Mass sites selected for you and we will visit the Rosary sites and pray that Mystery while there. Join us!

We look forward to our much beloved priest Fr. Frans Berkhout as chaplain. He is a regular with this and is not only devout and reverent but a lot of fun and a good “people person”. Everyone always loves him!

Our guide in Jordan is a friend of ours. We are godparents for his daughter Leah. We baptized her in the Jordan River over 20 years ago! His name is Elias Khzuz. He is a Catholic from a Bedouin tribe and owns two wonderful restaurants which we will eat at. He is an encyclopedia of knowledge.

Steve and Janet have partnered with the same Catholic Nazarene guide for all their trips over the last decade. We have done 70 pilgrimages together. Amer is a practicing Catholic and a walking encyclopedia. We consider him the finest Christian guide in the Holy Land–and we are not alone in that assessment. Having a Christian guide is very important.

You’ll enjoy Steve and Janet’s trusted hotels and delicious meals including some amazing dinner experiences away from the typical hotel buffets.

Wine is provided with all dinners along with a wide range of cuisines to experience the Holy Land to it’s fullest.

You will receive their 110-page color handbook, daily YouTube videos so your family and friends can join you virtually every day and a fully edited movie of your trip upon your return home.

Steve personally teaches at the holy sites and shares experiences from over 180 previous trips to Israel and other biblical lands since 1995. We do everything we can to support the local Christians who only make up 1.5% of the population.

Remember, daily Mass at the holiest sites and Rosary Mysteries prayed at the sites. Also, pray the Stations of the Cross on the way to Calvary and Mass at the Tomb.

Enjoy a group of like-minded Catholics from around the country for a marvelous pilgrimage through the land of our Lord and Our Lady.

 

JORDAN ITINERARY

Day 1 | November 4  Depart USA Depart USA on overnight flights for Amman.

Day 2 | November 5  Arrive in Jordan | Amman

Arrival at Amman Queen Alia International Airport. You will be greeted upon arrival by Steve and Janet Ray and by our Jordanian Catholic guide Elias Khzuz. If time permits panoramic tour of Amman (pending flight arrival time). Mass at Amman Peace Center. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Amman. (D)

Day 3 | November 6  Anjara | Jerash | Jabbok River

Mass at the Our Lady of the Mountain Church in Anjara, a pilgrimage site. Tour the fantastic Roman city of Jerash, one of the best preserved Roman archaeological sites. Visit Mar Elias (Tishbe, hometown of Prophet Elijah, 1 Kings 17:1). Lunch at local authentic restaurant. Visit Jabbok River where Jacob wrestled with the Angel. Back to Amman for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 4 | November 7  Madaba | Jordan Valley | Machaerus | Petra

Drive to the mountain village of Madaba. Mass at Mount Nebo. Look out over the Jordan Valley and Israel like Moses did before he died here. See where Joshua crossed over the Jordan River. Visit St. George’s Church to see the famous Madaba “Holy Land Mosaic Map.” Themed lunch at Elias Khzuz’s family restaurant. Visit to the mosaic factory and store. Drive to Petra. See Machaerus where John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded. Dinner and overnight in Petra. (B, L, D)

Days 5 | November 8  Petra

Visit Petra all morning. Lunch at Petra. Transfer back to Amman and stop en route for Mass at the Our Lady of Peace Center with some of the most beautiful biblical art covering the walls. Dinner and overnight in Amman. (B, L, D)

Day 6 | November 9  Bethany | Jordon River

Drive to Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan for Mass at the site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Stop at the authentic site to renew our baptismal vows. Visit site and the new Catholic Church being built. Continue on to Sheikh Hussein Bridge to cross into Israel. Drive to your hotel in Tiberias. (B, L, D)

ITINERARY IN ISRAEL

 

Day 7 Mount of Beatitudes | Tabgha | Tiberias

Mount of Beatitudes for Mass. Continue on to Caesarea Philippi where Jesus said, “You are Peter (Rock)!” Drive through Golan Heights; view the Syrian border. Lunch at Druze restaurant. Visit Tabgha where Jesus multiplied loaves and fishes. Visit the Primacy of Peter where Jesus said, “Feed My Sheep”. Dinner at elegant Nazareth Restaurant. Overnight in Tiberias.

Day 8 Mount of Transfiguration | Cana | Nazareth | Tiberias

Ascend the Mount of Transfiguration (Mount Tabor) early to miss the crowds; then depart for the Wedding Church in Cana for Renewal of Wedding Vows. After lunch in Nazareth, visit the Church of Annunciation for a tour and Mass. Steve shares his talk “A Day in the Life of the Holy Family”. Visit the House of the Holy Family. Free time. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Day 9 Sea of Galilee | Capernaum | Jerusalem

Drive to Capernaum for Mass at St. Peter’s House and the synagogue where Jesus said “Eat My Flesh!” Hear Steve’s famous talk on the Eucharist. Next, enjoy a boat ride on Sea of Galilee. St. Peter’s fish for lunch. Drive to Jerusalem stopping along the way at Ein Karem to visit the Church of the Visitation. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 10 Bethlehem | Jerusalem

Spend the day in Bethlehem. Visit the Olive Wood store to support local Christians. Mass at Shepherd’s Field and visit the Church of the Nativity where Jesus was born.** Tonight, enjoy a special dinner with the atmosphere of a Bedouin Tent with traditional dancing in Bethlehem. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 11 Via Dolorosa | Calvary | Western Wall | Jerusalem

Depart early this morning and travel along the Via Dolorosa. Arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and celebrate Mass. Touch the top of Mount Calvary and tour the church. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Depart for prayer at the Western Wall. Enjoy a group lunch together in Jerusalem. Free time this afternoon. Optional tour of the Shroud of Turin Exhibit. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 12 Gethsemane | Mt. Olives | Mt. Zion | Jerusalem

Begin today with Mass at the Garden of Gethsemane. Drive to the Mount of Olives to visit the Church of Pater Noster. At the scenic Promenade, hear Steve give his invigorating History of Salvation in 20 minutes. Enjoy lunch at Jewish kibbutz. Drive to Mt. Zion to visit the Church of the Mary Dormition and the Upper Room, ending at the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu. Dinner at the Cheese and Wine Restaurant on the roof of the Notre Dame Center, overlooking Jerusalem, and overnight in Jerusalem

Day 13 Free Day | Optional Dead Sea Excursion | Jerusalem

Celebrate morning Mass at Notre Dame Chapel. Free day for shopping, prayer, rest, personal visit to Holy Sepulchre or optional side trips. Optional Excursion (tour escort will advise price) to the Ancient Jerusalem Temple model and shrine of the Book, Qumran, Jericho and swimming in the Dead Sea. We will renew Baptismal vows at the authentic baptismal site of Jesus. We also have Sammie the Camel ready to give you a ride. We keep your room for you so you can return to the hotel for a shower, pack, rest and have dinner. This evening, get ready for flight, through the night, back home.

Day 14 : Return to USA

Depart on your return flight back to the USA.

* Itinerary subject to change

** We will visit the grotto of the Nativity as possible based on the length of lines and conditions within the Church of Nativity

Contact our Reservations Team at 866.557.2364 or FootprintsOfGod@ctscentral.net